Methods and systems for providing multiple video content streams

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, providing multiple video content streams to a display for presentation. The display comprises a primary screen region that presents a first video content stream of the multiple video content streams and multiple auxiliary screen regions that present a subset of the multiple video content streams. Further aspects may include providing a message to the display responsive to receiving a first user-generated input instructing the display to present a second video content stream on the primary screen region. Additional aspects may include recording the first video content stream from a point of departure of the first video content stream. Also, aspects may include providing the recorded first video content stream to the display responsive to obtaining a second user-generated input. The recorded first video content stream is presented on the primary screen region from the point of departure. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/251,059, filed Aug. 30, 2016, the contents of which are incorporatedby reference into this application as if set forth herein in full.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to methods and system for providingmultiple video content streams.

BACKGROUND

Modern communication networks have capacity to provide multiple videocontent streams from video content servers to communication devices ofend users. Further, edge networks have recently increased their capacityto deliver high bit rate applications such as delivery of multiple videocontent streams. Edge networks can include technology such as wiredbroadband access networks, digital subscriber line networks, and cabletelevision access networks as well satellite access networks and fiberoptic networks. In addition, media processors and gateways located at apremises receive and process the multiple video content streams thendeliver different video content streams to different communicationdevices within the premises.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIGS. 1-4 depict illustrative embodiments of providing multiple videocontent streams to a premises;

FIGS. 5-7 depict illustrative embodiments of methods used in portions ofthe systems described in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system thatprovides multiple video content streams to a premises;

FIG. 9 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems of FIGS. 1-4, and 8 to managedelivery of multiple video content streams to a premises;

FIG. 10 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device;and

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for providing a plurality of video content streams to adisplay for presentation of the plurality of video content streams. Thedisplay comprises a plurality of screen regions including a primaryscreen region that presents a first video content stream of theplurality of video content streams and a plurality of auxiliary screenregions that presents a subset of the plurality of video contentstreams. Further embodiments can include providing a message to thedisplay responsive to receiving a first user-generated input. Themessage instructs the display to present a second video content streamon the primary screen region according to the first user-generatedinput. Additional embodiments can include recording the first videocontent stream from a point of departure of the first video contentstream resulting in a recorded first video content stream. The recordedfirst video content stream may not include advertising content. Also,embodiments can include providing the recorded first video contentstream to the display responsive to obtaining a second user-generatedinput. The recorded first video content stream is presented on theprimary screen region of the display from the point of departureaccording to the second user-generated input. Other embodiments aredescribed in the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a device,comprising a processing system including a processor and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processingsystem, facilitate performance of operations. The operations can includereceiving multiple video content streams. Further operations can includeproviding the multiple video content streams to a display forpresentation of the multiple video content streams. The display cancomprise multiple screen regions including a primary screen region thatpresents a first video content stream of the multiple video contentstreams. The multiple screen regions can also include multiple auxiliaryscreen regions that present a subset of the multiple video contentstreams. Additional operations can include detecting an event in asecond video stream of the multiple video content streams. Otheroperations can include providing an indication to the display responsiveto the detecting of the event. The indication instructs the display topresent the second video content stream on the primary screen regionaccording to the detecting of the event. Further operations can includerecording the first video content stream from a point of departure ofthe first video content stream resulting in a recorded first videocontent stream. Additional operations can include providing the recordedfirst video content stream to the display for presentation on theprimary screen region from the point of departure responsive toobtaining a first user-generated input. The first user-generated inputindicates to switch from presenting the second video content steam onthe primary screen region to presenting the recorded first video contentstream on the primary screen region.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a machine-readablestorage medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executedby a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations. The operations can include providing multiple video contentstreams to a display for presentation of the multiple video contentstreams. The display can comprise multiple screen regions including aprimary screen region that presents a first video content stream of themultiple video content streams. The multiple screen regions can alsoinclude multiple auxiliary screen regions that present a subset of theplurality of video content streams. Further operations can includeproviding a message to the display responsive to receiving a firstuser-generated input. The message instructs the display to present asecond video content stream on the primary screen region according tothe first user-generated input. Additional operations can includerecording the first video content stream from a point of departure ofthe first video content stream resulting in a recorded first videocontent stream. The recorded first video content stream may not includeadvertising content. Other operations can include providing the recordedfirst video content stream to the display responsive to obtaining asecond user-generated input. The recorded first video content stream canbe presented on the primary screen region of the display from the pointof departure according to the second user-generated input.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method. Themethod can include receiving, by a processing system including aprocessor, multiple video content streams. Further, the method caninclude providing, by the processing system, the multiple video contentstreams to a display for presentation of the multiple video contentstreams. The display can comprise multiple screen regions including aprimary screen region that presents a first video content stream of themultiple video content streams. The multiple screen regions can alsoinclude multiple auxiliary screen regions that present a subset of themultiple video content streams. In addition, the method can includeproviding, by the processing system, an avatar associated with a socialconnection. Also, the method can include receiving, by the processingsystem, social commentary for a social connection. The social commentarycan be related to the multiple video content streams.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system 100 for providingmultiple video content streams to a premises 102. In one or moreembodiments, a satellite video content provider can use a satellite 104to distribute video content including multiple video content streamsover a communication network 106 to a satellite receiver 108 located atthe premises 102. In further embodiments, one of the servers 126 canprovide the video content across the communication network 106 to thesatellite to be transmitted to the satellite receiver 108 (servers 126are a collection of servers that can perform various functions asdescribed herein including, but not limited to, media content server,social media server, text messaging server, multimedia messaging server,information server, etc.) In some embodiments, the premises 102 can be aresidential premises while in other embodiments, the premises can be acommercial premises (e.g. sports bar, corporate office, etc.). Thesatellite receiver 108 can provide the received video content to apremises device 110.

In one or more embodiments, the premises device 110 can becommunicatively coupled to one of the servers 126, which can be a mediacontent server operated by a media content provider. The media contentserver 126 can provide video content, including multiple video contentstreams, to the premises device 110. The media content provider caninclude, but is not limited to, a cable television provider, an Internetmedia provider, and an Internet service provider.

Such a premises device 110 can be a media processor, set top box, orgateway device. The premises device 110 can be communicatively coupledto one or more communication devices 114, 120 including display devicesand to computer 118. The premises device 110 can be coupled to thecommunication devices 114, 120 and computer 118 over a wirelesscommunication network (e.g. WiFi network) or a wireless communicationlink (e.g. Bluetooth®). Also, the premises device 110 can be coupled tothe communication devices 114, 120 and computer 118 over a wiredconnection. One communication device 114 can be a television viewed by auser 116. Another communication device 120 can be a virtual realityheadset (e.g. Occulus Rift™) viewed by another user 122. Further,computer 118 can also connected to a communication network 124 and hasaccess to the Internet. In some embodiments, servers 126 arecommunicatively coupled to the computer 118 over communication network124. In other embodiments, the servers 126 are coupled to the premisesdevice 110 over communication network 124 and/or via computer 118.

In one or more embodiments, the users 116 and 122 can access multiplevideo content streams for display simultaneously on communicationdevices 114, 120. In some embodiments, the multiple video contentstreams can be the broadcast of multiple football games. The videocontent can be provided by the satellite receiver 108 or a media contentserver 126 to the premises device 110. Further, the premises device 110can include several tuners to extract the multiple video content streamsfrom the video content. Additionally, the premises device 110 canprovide all or a subset of the multiple video content streams tocommunication devices 114, 120 for presentation on their displayssimultaneously, via or not via computer 118. In some embodiments, thecomputer 118 can access content such as football statistics from the oneof the servers 126 (e.g. information server) and add such content to theone or more of multiple video content streams to be presented on thedisplays of communication devices 114, 120.

In one or more embodiments, the multiple video content streams can beprovided to other communication devices such as mobile devices (e.g.smartphones, wearable devices, tablet computers, laptop computers),desktop computers, and other home theater devices.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of system 200 for providingmultiple video content streams at a premises 102. In one or moreembodiments, the system 200 can include a television 202 having adisplay. The display can have multiple screen regions include a primaryscreen region 204 and multiple auxiliary screen regions 206-232. In someembodiments, the television 202 can be provided multiple video contentstreams from a premises device 110. Each video content stream can bepresented on each of the primary screen region 204 and auxiliary screenregions 206-232 simultaneously. Thus, if each of the multiple videocontent streams is a football game broadcast, then each football gamebroadcast can be presented on each screen region 204-232 on television202. Further, the user 116 can configure system 200 to choose which ofthe football games are presented on the primary screen region 204 andwhich of the football games of presented on the auxiliary screen regions206-232. For example, the user 116 may be a fan of the Denver Broncos.Thus, the user 116 can configure system 200 such that the Denver Broncosfootball game is presented on the primary screen region and each of theother football games can be presented on the auxiliary screen regions.In some embodiments, the primary screen region 204 can present a videocontent stream at one resolution and the auxiliary screen regions206-232 can present video content streams in another resolution. Inother embodiments, each screen region 204-232 can present video contentstreams at different resolutions. In further embodiments, each screenregion 204-232 can present video content streams with the sameresolution. In additional embodiments, the resolution of each screenregion can be configured by the user 116. For example, the resolution ofthe video content stream presented on the primary screen region 204 canbe at a 4K resolution and the resolution of the video content stream oneach of the auxiliary screen regions 206-232 can be a high definition(HD) resolution. The resolution of video content streams on any of themultiple screen regions 204-232 can include, but not limited so, 4K,ultra-high definition (UHD), HD, and standard definition (SD).

In one or more embodiments, the user 116 can configure system 200 toaccess football statistics for one or more of the football games.Computer 118 can access the football statistics from one of the servers126 and provide the football statistics to television 202. In addition,television 202 can present the football statistics with the multiplevideo content streams. In some embodiments, the football statistics canbe presented in a text screen region 234 on the television 202. In otherembodiments, the user 116 can configure system 200 to access othertextual information from one of the servers 126 to be presented on thetext screen region 234. In some embodiments, the textual information isprovided to the television 202 directly from computer 118 and/or viapremises device 110.

In one or more embodiments, the system 200 can present an avatar 240 onone or more screen regions of television 202. In some embodiments, theavatar 240 can be presented on the primary screen region 204. The avatar240 can represent another user of system 200, such as another member ofthe household of premises 102, or can be a social connection, such asfrom a social media website. This allows the user 116 to have a virtualshared viewing experience with the social connection even if the socialconnection and the user 116 are in different locations. Further, thecomputer 118 can access social commentary provided on a social mediawebsite by the social connection over communication network 124 from asocial media server (which can be one of the servers 126) and providethe social commentary to the television 202. In addition, the television202 can present the social commentary on a social commentary screenregion 236. In other embodiments, instead of the social commentary beingprovided on a social media website, the social connection can providethe social commentary via a text message or multimedia message. Thecomputer 118 can receive the social commentary over communicationnetwork 124 from a text messaging server or a multimedia messagingserver (which can be one of the servers 126) and provide the socialcommentary to the television 202 for presentation. In some embodiments,the social commentary is provided to the television 202 directly fromcomputer 118 and/or via premises device 110.

In one or more embodiments, the user can generate a message for thesocial connection using an input device of the television 202. Themessage can be provided by the television directly to, or via thepremises device 110 to, the computer 118. The computer 118 can send themessage to a social media server or a text/multimedia messaging server(which can be one of the servers 126) to be displayed on a social mediawebsite or as a text/multimedia message to the social connection'scommunication device (e.g. smartphone, tablet computer, laptop computer,etc.).

The user 116 can use various input devices to provide a message to thepremises device 110 or computer 118. Such input devices can includetouchscreen, gesture detection, voice recognition, keyboard, mouse, anda remote controller of television 202.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of providing multiple videocontent streams to a premises in a virtual reality environment. In oneor more embodiments, the premises device 110 receives the video contentfrom the satellite 104 via the satellite receiver 108 or from a mediacontent server (which can be one of the servers 126). The premisesdevice 110 can extract the multiple video content streams from the videocontent. Further, the multiple video content streams are provided tocomputer 118. In addition, computer 118 access a virtual realitysoftware application allows computer 118 to render a virtual realityenvironment on the virtual reality headset 120 for user 122. Whenrendering the virtual environment, the computer 118 can integrate themultiple video content data streams into the virtual environment to bedisplayed simultaneously.

In one or more embodiments, the rendered virtual environment can includemultiple screen regions 304-334 on a virtual reality headset display 300of virtual reality headset 120. In some embodiments, the display providea virtual seat 302 for user 122. In other embodiments, the primaryscreen region 304 can present a video content stream at one resolutionand the auxiliary screen regions 306-334 can present video contentstreams in another resolution. In other embodiments, each screen region304-334 can present video content streams at different resolutions. Infurther embodiments, each screen region 304-334 can present videocontent streams with the same resolution. In additional embodiments, theresolution of each screen region can be configured by the user 122. Forexample, the resolution of the video content stream presented on theprimary screen region 304 can be at a 4K resolution and the resolutionof the video content stream on each of the auxiliary screen regions306-334 can be a high definition (HD) resolution. The resolution ofvideo content streams on any of the multiple screen regions 304-334 caninclude, but not limited so, 4K, ultra-high definition (UHD), HD, andstandard definition (SD).

In one or more embodiments, each of the multiple video content streamscan be a football game broadcast, with each football game broadcastbeing presented on each screen region 304-334. Further, the user 122 canconfigure virtual reality headset display 300 to choose which of thefootball games are presented on the primary screen region 304 and whichof the football games of presented on the auxiliary screen regions306-334. For example, the user 122 may be a fan of the Dallas Cowboys.Thus, the user 122 can configure virtual reality headset display 300such that the Dallas Cowboys football game is presented on the primaryscreen region 304 and each of the other football games can be presentedon the auxiliary screen regions 306-334.

In one or more embodiments, movement of the head of user 122 in aparticular direction or rotation while wearing the virtual realityheadset will allow seeing one or more screen regions without seeing oneor more other screen regions. Configuration of screen regions in thevirtual reality environment can be in various forms (e.g. based on userpreference, user-generated input, default configuration by the videocontent provider, etc.). Such forms can be a mosaic in horizontal and/orvertical directions, a circular carousel in horizontal direction,rectangular sliding panes in the horizontal and/or vertical directions,and so forth. Further, the graphical user interface provided by thevirtual reality headset 120 on the virtual reality headset display 300can provide an indication that gives guidance to the user 122 in whichdirection or rotation to move the head so that a particular game on ascreen region can be seen by the user 122.

In one or more embodiments, the user 122 can configure virtual realityheadset 120 to access football statistics for one or more of thefootball games. Computer 118 can access the football statistics from oneof the servers 126 and provides the football statistics to virtualreality headset display 300. In addition, virtual reality headsetdisplay 300 can present the football statistics with the multiple videocontent streams. In some embodiments, the football statistics can bepresented in a text screen region 336 on the virtual reality headsetdisplay 300. In other embodiments, the user 122 can configure virtualreality headset 120 to access other textual information from one of theservers 126 to be presented on the text screen region 336. In someembodiments, the textual information is provided to the virtual realityheadset 122 directly from computer 118 and/or via premises device 110.

In one or more embodiments, the virtual reality headset 120 can presentan avatar 338 on one or more screen regions of the virtual realityheadset display 300. In some embodiments, the avatar 338 can bepresented on the primary screen region 304. The avatar 338 can representanother user that is accessing the virtual environment rendered by thevirtual reality headset display 300. This can include another member ofthe household of premises 102, or can be a social connection, such asfrom a social media website. This allows the user 122 to have a virtualshared viewing experience with the social connection even if the socialconnection and the user 122 are in different locations. Further, thecomputer 118 can access social commentary provided on a social mediawebsite by the social connection over communication network 124 from asocial media server (which can be one of the servers 126) and providethe social commentary to the virtual reality headset display 300. Inaddition, the virtual reality headset display 300 can present the socialcommentary on a social commentary screen region 340. In otherembodiments, instead of the social commentary being accessed from asocial media website, the social connection can provide the socialcommentary via a text message or multimedia message. The computer 118can receive the social commentary over communication network 124 from atext messaging server or a multimedia messaging server (which can be oneof the servers 126) and provide the social commentary to the virtualreality headset display 300 for presentation. In some embodiments, thesocial commentary is provided to the virtual reality headset display 300directly from computer 118 and/or via premises device 110.

In one or more embodiments, the user can generate a message for thesocial connection using an input device of the virtual reality headset120. The message can be provided by the television directly to, or viathe premises device 110 to, the computer 118. The computer 118 can sendthe message to a social media server or a text/multimedia messagingserver (which can be one of the servers 126) to be displayed on a socialmedia website or as a text/multimedia message to the social connection'scommunication device (e.g. smartphone, tablet computer, laptop computer,etc.).

The user 122 can use various input devices to provide a message to thepremises device 110 or computer 118. Such input devices can includetouchscreen, gesture detection, head movement, voice recognition,keyboard, mouse, and a remote controller of the virtual reality headset122.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment 400 of providing multiplevideo content streams to a premises. In one or more embodiments, thepremises device 110 and/or computer 118 provides multiple video contentstreams to a display to present the multiple video content streams onmultiple screen regions simultaneously. In some embodiments, themultiple video content streams can be multiple football games. Thus, theusers 116, 122 can adjust the display so that a certain football game ispresented on the primary screen region of the display and the otherfootball games are presented on the multiple auxiliary screen regions.Further, the system 100 can be configured by the video content provideror by the users 116, 122 to detect an event in the any of the presentedfootball games (i.e. video content streams).

The multiple video content streams can include multiple images ofmultiple objects resulting in multiple object images. For example, inthe broadcast of multiple football games, there can be several differentobjects that can be associated with an event. Objects can include afootball within a particular football game, players in particularfootball games, yard markers (e.g. 50 yard line, goal line, end zone,etc.), etc. One event can be when a football within a particularfootball game crosses the 20 yard line toward the end zone when a teamis on offense. The area between the 20 yard line and the end zone iscalled the red zone. Thus, an event can be configured to be when thefootball enters the red zone in a particular or any football game.

Each of the multiple video content streams that include football gamesincludes a plurality of images of the football (i.e. object). A premisesdevice 110 or a network device (which can be one of the servers 126) canuse image processing and image recognition techniques to process theplurality of images of the football to determine when a football for aparticular game has entered the red zone. When the premises device 110or a network device process each of, or a subset of, images from thevideo content streams, and recognizes an event such as a footballentering a red zone, an object indication is generated that includes theevent (e.g. football in a particular football game has entered the redzone). In some embodiments, when the object indication is generated bythe network device, the network device provides the object indication tothe premises device 110. The premises device 110 detects the event byidentifying the event in the object indication. In further embodiments,the premises device 110 processes the multiple images of the football(e.g. object) of the multiple football games using image processing andimage recognition techniques to detect an event that a football in aparticular game has entered the red zone. In additional embodiments,other events in football games can include a particular player in aparticular football game has entered the end zone with the footballindicating the scoring of a touchdown, or a football kicked through theuprights indicating a field goal.

In one or more embodiments, events can be configured to be anythingconsidered significant in any of the multiple video content streams bythe video content provider or users 116, 122, or any other person orentity. For example, an event can be a soccer goal passing within a goalindicating scoring of a goal. In another example, an event can be anexciting chase scene in a particular movie. A further example can be abattle scene in a particular scene. An additional example can be aspeech being given by a political leader.

In one or more embodiments, the premises device can detect two events orobtain two object indications each containing an event for two differentvideo content streams within a configurable predetermined threshold. Forexample, the premises device 110 receives an object indicationcontaining an event that the football is in the red zone for a firstfootball game and another object indication containing another eventthat the football is in the red zone for a second football game. Theevents are detected within one second (i.e. the predetermined threshold)of each other. Thus, there may be a configurable predetermined priorityto determine which football game to present on the primary screen regionupon detecting the two events. For example, the second football game canhave a player that the users 116, 122 prefers to view (e.g. due to theplayer being on the users 116, 122 fantasy football team) while thefirst football game has no players the users 116, 122 prefers to view.Thus, the second football game is indicated by the premises device 110to be presented on the primary screen region. Hence, a red zone event inthe second football game are given a higher priority than a red zoneevent in the first football game when each event is detected within thepredetermined threshold.

In one or more embodiments, a first video content stream can bepresented on the primary screen region of a display (of the television114 or of the virtual reality headset 120). Further, the premises device110 can detect an event in a second video content stream that ispresented in one of the auxiliary screen regions of the display.Responsive to detecting the event, the premises device 110 can providean indication to the television 114 or virtual reality headset 120and/or the displays thereof. The indication instructs the display topresent the video content stream on the primary screen region accordingto the detecting of the event. This allows the users 116, 122 not tomiss any upcoming content the users 116, 122 might be interested inviewing from the second video content stream. For example, if the firstvideo content stream is a first football game and the second videocontent stream is a second football game, the event detected can be thatthe football in the second football game has entered the red zone. Thus,the second football game is presented automatically on the primaryscreen region of the display upon detecting the event such that theusers 116, 122 do not miss on the possibility of viewing a score in thesecond football game. In another example, the first video content streamcan be a first movie and the second video content stream can be a secondmovie. The detected event in the second movie can be the start of anexciting chase scene. Thus, the second movie is presented automaticallyon the primary screen region of the display upon detecting the eventsuch that the users 116, 122 do not miss on the viewing the excitingchase scene. In a further example, the first video content stream can bea television program and the second video content stream can be newscontent. The detected event in the news content can be the start of aspeech by a political leader. Thus, the news content is presentedautomatically on the primary screen region of the display upon detectingthe event such that the users 116, 122 do not miss on the speech of thepolitical leader.

In one or more embodiments, the display does not automatically presentthe second video content stream upon obtaining an indication of anevent. In some embodiments, the primary screen region of the display canpresent text indicating the event in the second video content streamsuch that the users 116, 122 can then provide user-generated inputindicating to the display and/or premises device 110 to provide/presentthe second video content stream on the primary screen region.

In one or more embodiments, the premises device 110 can be configured torecord the second video content stream a priori in anticipation of theevent. Thus, the if the event happens quickly and is over by a time thatthe second video content stream is presented on the primary screenregion, the user can access or the premises device 110 can be configuredto provide to the display a recorded portion of the second video contentstream containing the event to present on the primary screen region.

In one or more embodiments, when the second video content stream ispresented on the primary screen region, the first video content streamcan be presented on one of the auxiliary screen regions.

In one or more embodiments, when the first video content stream isremoved from the primary screen region and the second video contentstream is presented on the primary screen region, the audio contentassociated with first video content stream can be still configured to beplayed by the television 114 or virtual reality headset 120. Thus, theusers can view the event in the second video content stream presented onthe primary screen region but still follow the first video contentstream by listening to its audio content. For example, if the firstvideo content stream is a first football game and the second videocontent is a second football game, when the second football game ispresented on the primary screen region due to a red zone event, theusers 116, 122 can still follow the first football game by listening toits audio content.

In one or more embodiments, when the first video content stream isremoved from the primary screen region, the first video content streamcan be recorded from a point of departure by the premises device 110resulting in a recorded first video content stream. A point of departurecan be a point in time in the first video content stream when the firstvideo content stream is removed from presentation on the primary screenregion. In some embodiments, after viewing an event in the second videocontent stream on the primary screen region, the premises device 110 canobtain user generated input directing the premises device to provide therecorded first video content stream back on the primary screen region.

In one or more embodiments, the premises device 110 can removeadvertising content from the recorded first video content stream. Forexample, if the first video content stream is a football game and therecording of the football game includes embedded commercials or otheradverting content, then the premises device 110 can remove, discard, ordelete the advertising content from the recording of the football game.This allows the users 116, 122 to catch up to viewing the football gamein real-time and prevents the users 116, 122 to receive information(e.g. social commentary from a social connection) regarding a portion offootball game prior to viewing the real-time portion of the footballgame, thereby ruining the viewing experience.

Referring to FIG. 4, in one or more embodiments, a time line 412 isassociated with a first video content stream 408 and a timeline 414 isassociated with a second video content stream 410. The timelines 412,414 are shown for a period of time between 12:00 and 3:00. A portion 430of the first video content stream is presented on a primary screenregion of a display and a portion 440 of the second video content streamis presented on an auxiliary screen region of the display. In someembodiments, at a time 12:45 the first video content stream is removedfrom being presented on the primary screen region and the second videocontent stream is presented on the primary screen region. Thus, 12:45 isa point of departure 416 for the first video content stream beingremoved from the primary screen region. Also, 12:45 is a point ofdeparture 422 for the second video content stream being removed from theauxiliary screen region. The premises device 110 can record a portion432 of the first video content stream while the second video contentstream 442 is presented on the primary screen region. The first videocontent stream may have been removed from the primary screen region andthe second video content stream presented on the primary screen regiondue to detection of an event in the second video content stream orreceipt of user-generated input indicating the switch. Responsive toreceipt of the user-generated input, the premises device 110 provides amessage to the display to present the second video content stream on theprimary screen region according to the user-generated input.

In one or more embodiments, at a time 1:15 418, the display isinstructed, due to detection of another event or user-generated input,or by the event in the second video content stream being completed, topresent the first video content stream. The time 1:14 418 can be calleda point of return. In some embodiments, the premises device 110 providesthe recorded first video content stream to the display for presentationon the primary screen region. Accordingly, the display presents therecorded portion 434 of the first video content stream on the primaryscreen region. The premises device 110 may have removed advertisingcontent from the recorded portion 434 of the first video content streamsuch that the user can “catch up” and view the first video content inreal-time in the future. Thus, at a time 1:30 420, presentation of therecorded portion 434 is complete and the premises device 110 presentsthe remaining portion 436 of first video content stream in real-timeuntil the end of the time period 421. In other embodiments, when therecorded portion 434 of the first video content stream is presented onthe primary screen region at the point of return 418, the second videocontent stream can be presented on the auxiliary screen region at itspoint of return 424. The remaining portion 444 of the second videocontent stream is presented on the auxiliary screen region until the endof the time period. In some embodiments, the first video content streamis presented back on the primary screen region responsive touser-generated input. In other embodiments, the first video contentstream is presented back on the primary screen region responsive todetermining an event has been completed.

In one or more embodiments, in addition to or instead of removingadvertising content from the recorded first video content stream, otherportions that the user would like to ignore and not view can be removed.For example, when a first video content stream is a football game, theaction of the game is during a play. A user may not want to viewrecorded portions of the football game that do not have any action ofthe game such as viewing the teams huddle, replays, officialannouncements, or any other content between plays. The broadcast of thefootball game can contain action start flags and action end flags thatcan be used by the premises device 110 to demarcate the action portionsand non-action portions of the football game. Further, the premisesdevice 110 can record the action portions of the game and remove ordiscard non-action portions of the game. For example, the premisesdevice 110 can detect a first action start flag and a first action endflag. The first action start flag signals to the premises device 110 thestart of a first play of the football game and the first action end flagsignals to the premises device the end of the first play of the footballgame. In addition, the premises device 110 can detect a second actionstart flag and a second action end flag. The second action start flagsignals to the premises device 110 the start of a second play of thefootball game and the second action end flag signals to the premisesdevice the end of the second play of the football game. The premisesdevice 110 can record portions of the football game between the firstaction start flag and the first action end flag as well as the secondaction start flag and the second action end flag. Also, the premisesdevice 110 can remove or discard the portion of the first video contentstream between the first action end flag and the second action startflag. In some of the embodiments, instead of a premises device 110, anetwork device such as one of the servers 126 can record portions of thefootball between the first action start flag and the first action endflag as well as the second action start flag and the second action endflag. Also, such a network device can remove or discard the portion ofthe first video content stream between the first action end flag and thesecond action start flag.

In one or more embodiments, the premises device 110 can select amultiple images of the recorded first video content stream that containmultiple objects that indicate action portions of the first videocontent stream and non-action portions of the recorded first videocontent stream. For example the when the first video content stream is afootball game, the premises device 110 can be configured to select themultiple images of the first video content stream containing a gameclock. Further, the premises device 110 can determine a first subset ofthe multiple selected images as having a running game clock and a secondsubset of the multiple selected images as not having a running gameclock The premises device 110 can record the first subset of multipleselected images and remove or discard the second subset of multipleselected images. In some of the embodiments, instead of a premisesdevice 110, a network device such as one of the servers 126 can recordthe first subset of multiple selected images and remove or discard thesecond subset of multiple selected images.

FIGS. 5-7 depict illustrative embodiments of methods for providingmultiple video content streams used in portions of the systems describedin FIGS. 1-4. Referring to FIG. 5, the method 500 can include, at a step502, a premises device 110 receiving multiple video content streams. Ata step 504, the method 500 can further include the premises device 110providing the multiple video content streams to a display forpresentation of the multiple of video content streams. The display cancomprise multiple screen regions including a primary screen region thatpresents a first video content stream of the multiple video contentstreams. Further, the multiple screen regions can comprise multipleauxiliary screen regions that present a subset of the plurality of videocontent streams. A first video content stream can be presented on theprimary screen region and a second video content stream can be presentedon an auxiliary screen region. At a step 506, the method 500 canadditionally include the premises device 110 receiving an objectindication for each of multiple events resulting in multiple objectindications.

At a step 514, the method 500 can include the premises device 110detecting the event. Further, at a step 508, the method 500 can includethe premise device 110 detecting a first event associated with a thirdvideo content stream and a second event associated with a fourth videocontent stream of the multiple video content streams within a timeperiod (e.g. configurable predetermined threshold). At a step 510, themethod 500 can additionally include the premises device 110 receivinguser generated-input pertaining to one of the third video content streamand the fourth video content stream. For example, the user-generatedinput can include a selection of either the third video content streamor the fourth video content stream. Also, at a step 512, the method 500can include the premises device 110 identifying the video content streamhaving the event as one of the third video content stream and the fourthvideo content stream according to the second user-generated input.

At a step 516, the method 500 can include the premises device 110providing an indication to the display responsive to the detecting ofthe event. The indication instructs the display to present the secondvideo content stream on the primary screen region according to thedetecting of the event. At a step 518, the method 500 can also includethe premises device 110 receiving user generated input to present thesecond video content stream on the primary screen region but provide adifferent audio content that is not associated with the second videocontent stream. For example, the first video content stream can be afirst football game and the second video content stream can be a secondfootball game. Although the second football game is presented on theprimary screen region in response to detecting an event, a user maystill want to listen to the audio content of the first football game tofollow the first football game while viewing the second football game.

Further, at a step 520, the method 500 can include the premises device110 recording the first video content stream from a point of departureof the first video content stream resulting in a recorded first videocontent stream. In addition, at a step 522, the method 500 can includethe premises device 110 removing, discarding, or deleting advertisingcontent from the recorded first video content stream. Also, at step 526,the method 500 can include the premises device 110 providing therecorded first video content stream to the display for presentation onthe primary screen region responsive to obtaining user-generated input.The user-generated input indicates to switch from presenting the secondvideo content steam on the primary screen region to presenting therecorded first video content stream on the primary screen region.

At a step 524, the method 500 can include the premises device 110providing textual content to the display to be presented with themultiple video content streams. For example, if the multiple videocontent streams are multiple football games, then the textualinformation can include football statistics, fantasy footballstatistics, game schedules, etc.

Referring to FIG. 6, the method 600 can include, at a step 602, apremises device 110 receiving multiple video content streams. At a step604, the method 600 can further include the premises device 110providing multiple video content streams to a display for presentationof the multiple video content streams. The display comprises multiplescreen regions including a primary screen region that presents a firstvideo content stream of the plurality of video content streams. Themultiple screen regions also include multiple auxiliary screen regionsthat present a subset of the plurality of video content streams. Asecond video content stream can be presented on an auxiliary screenregion. In addition, at a step 606, the method 600 can include thepremises device 110 providing a message to the display responsive toreceiving user-generated input. The message can instruct the display topresent the second video content stream on the primary screen region.

At a step 608, the method 600 can include the premises device 110detecting a first action start flag, a first action end flag, a secondaction start flag, and a second action end flag in the first videocontent stream. Further, at a step 610, the method 600 can include thepremises device 110 recording content between the first action startflag and the first action end flag and between the second action startflag and the second action end flag. In addition, at a step 612, themethod 600 can include the premises device 110 removing content betweenthe first action end flag and the second action start flag.

At step 614, the method 600 can include the premises device 110selecting multiple images of the recorded first video content streamresulting in multiple selected images. The multiple selected imagesinclude an image of a game clock. Further, at a step 616, the method 600can include the premises device 110 determining a first subset of theplurality of selected images having images of a running game clock and asecond subset of the plurality of selected images not having images of arunning clock. Also, at a step 618, the method 600 can include thepremises device 110 recording the first subset of the plurality ofselected images resulting in a recorded first subset of the plurality ofselected images.

The recorded first video content stream is the recorded first subset ofthe plurality of selected images. At a step 620, the method 600 caninclude the premises device 110 removing the second subset of theplurality of selected images from the recorded first video contentstream.

At a step 622, the method 600 can include the premises device 110recording the first video content stream from a point of departure ofthe first video content stream resulting in recorded first video contentstream. This can include aggregating portions of recorded content fromsteps 608-612 and steps 614-620. Further, at a step 624, the method 600can include the premises device 110 deleting advertising content fromthe recorded first video content stream. In addition, at a step 626, themethod 600 can include the premises device 110 providing the recordedfirst video content stream to the display responsive to obtaininguser-generated input. The recorded first video content stream ispresented on the primary screen region of the display from the point ofdeparture.

Referring to FIG. 7, method 700 can include, at a step 702, the premisesdevice 110 receiving multiple video content streams. At a step 704, themethod 700 can further include the premises device 110 providingmultiple video content streams to a display for presentation. Inaddition, at a step 706, the method 700 can include the premises device110 providing an avatar associated with a social connection to bepresented on the display with the multiple video content streams. Also,at a step 708, the method 700 can include the premises device 110receiving social commentary for a social connection. The socialconnection can be a connection from a social media website and/or acontact listed in the directory of a mobile phone, or any other personor entity that has a social relationship with a user. At a step 710, themethod 700 can include the premises device 110 providing socialcommentary to the display to be presented with the plurality of videocontent streams. The social commentary can be related to the multiplevideo content streams. In some embodiments, the social commentary isprovided by a voice-to-text input device. At a step 712, the method 700can include the premises device 110 receiving a message for the socialconnection from the user viewing the display. The message can be relatedto the multiple video content streams presented on the display. At astep 714, the method 700 can include the premises device 110 providingthe message for the social connection to a communication deviceassociated with the social connection. In other embodiments, the messagecan be provided by the premises device 110 to a social media server tobe listed on a social media website or mobile application.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIGS. 5-7, itis to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter isnot limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 800 for delivering media content. The communication system 800can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media system.Communication system 800 can be overlaid or operably coupled withsystems 100, 200, 300, 400 of FIGS. 1-4 as another representativeembodiment of communication system 800. For instance, one or moredevices illustrated in the communication system 800 of FIG. 8 caninclude providing multiple video content streams to a display forpresentation. The display comprises a primary screen region thatpresents a first video content stream of the multiple video contentstreams and multiple auxiliary screen regions that present a subset ofthe multiple video content streams. A second video content stream can bepresented on one of the auxiliary screen regions. Further, the devicescan also include providing a message to the display responsive toreceiving a first user-generated input instructing the display topresent a second video content stream on the primary screen region. Inaddition the devices may include recording the first video contentstream from a point of departure of the first video content stream.Also, the devices can include providing the recorded first video contentstream to the display responsive to obtaining a second user-generatedinput. The recorded first video content stream is presented on theprimary screen region from the point of departure.

The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) 810 withat least one super headend office server (SHS) 811 which receives mediacontent from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems. In thepresent context, media content can represent, for example, audiocontent, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games,virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof.The SHS server 811 can forward packets associated with the media contentto one or more video head-end servers (VHS) 814 via a network of videohead-end offices (VHO) 812 according to a multicast communicationprotocol.

The VHS 814 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an accessnetwork 818 to commercial and/or residential buildings 802 housing agateway 804 (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The accessnetwork 818 can represent a group of digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service areainterface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links orcopper twisted pairs 819 to buildings 802. The gateway 804 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 806 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 808 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 807 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 804, the media processors 806, and media devices 808 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, or other presentor next generation local or personal area wireless network technologies.By way of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 806 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 829 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 8. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 800. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 815 that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 831 coupled to thebuilding 802. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver831 can be transferred to the media processors 806 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 808. The media processors 806 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 832 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 833 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system800. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 833 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services. System 800 enablesvarious types of interactive television and/or services including IPTV,cable and/or satellite.

The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generationover-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 830, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 832 towireline media devices 808 or wireless communication devices 816.

Communication system 800 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 830 to function as one or more servers (hereinreferred to as server 830). The one or more servers can provide multiplevideo content streams, manage the multiple video content streams,provide textual informational related to the multiple video contentstreams, and exchange messages or social commentary between a user andthe user's social connection related to the multiple video contentstreams. The server 830 can use computing and communication technologyto perform function 862, which can include among other things, thetechniques for providing multiple video content streams described bymethods 500, 600, 700 of FIGS. 5-7. For instance, function 862 of server830 can be similar to the functions described for servers 126 of FIG. 1in accordance with methods 500, 600, 700. The media processors 806 andwireless communication devices 816 can be provisioned with softwarefunctions 864 and 866, respectively, to utilize the services of server830. For instance, functions 864 and 866 of media processors 806 andwireless communication devices 816 can be similar to the functionsdescribed for the devices 110, 114, 118, 120 of FIG. 1 in accordancewith methods 500, 600, 700.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 817 operating according to common wireless access protocolssuch as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Accessor CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal MobileTelecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave orWiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and soon. Other present and next generation wide area wireless access networktechnologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 9 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 902 of acommunication system 900. Communication system 900 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with systems 100, 200, 300, 400, of FIGS. 1-4, andcommunication system 800 as another representative embodiment of systems100, 200, 300, 400, of FIGS. 1-4, and communication system 800. The webportal 902 can be used for managing services of systems 100, 200, 300,400, of FIGS. 1-4, communication and communication system 800. A webpage of the web portal 902 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator(URL) with an Internet browser using an Internet-capable communicationdevice such as those described in FIGS. 1-4 and FIG. 8. The web portal902 can be configured, for example, to access a media processor 806 andservices managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a Videoon Demand (VoD) catalog, an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), or apersonal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures, audio recordings,etc.) stored at the media processor 806. The web portal 902 can also beused for provisioning IMS services described earlier, provisioningInternet services, provisioning cellular phone services, and so on.

The web portal 902 can further be utilized to manage and provisionsoftware applications 862-866 to adapt these applications as may bedesired by subscribers and/or service providers of systems 100, 200,300, 400 of FIGS. 1-4, and communication system 800. For instance, usersof the services provided by servers 126 or server 830 can log into theiron-line accounts and provision the servers 126 or server 830, and so on.Also, the user can configure which video content streams to present onthe different screen regions (e.g. primary screen region, auxiliaryscreen region, etc.) Further, user can configure events for each of themultiple video content streams or a subset thereof. In addition, theuser can configure a time period or predetermined time threshold todetect multiple events. Service providers can log onto an administratoraccount to provision, monitor and/or maintain the systems 100, 200, 300of FIGS. 1-4 or server 830.

FIG. 10 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device1000. Communication device 1000 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS. 1-3, and FIG. 8and can be configured to perform portions of methods 500, 600, 700 ofFIGS. 5-7.

Communication device 1000 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 1002 (herein transceiver 1002), a user interface (UI) 1004,a power supply 1014, a location receiver 1016, a motion sensor 1018, anorientation sensor 1020, and a controller 1006 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 1002 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1×, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 1002 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 1004 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 1008with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse,or a navigation disk for manipulating operations of the communicationdevice 1000. The keypad 1008 can be an integral part of a housingassembly of the communication device 1000 or an independent deviceoperably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USBcable) or a wireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. Thekeypad 1008 can represent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones,and/or a QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 1004 can furtherinclude a display 1010 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable displaytechnology for conveying images to an end user of the communicationdevice 1000. In an embodiment where the display 1010 is touch-sensitive,a portion or all of the keypad 1008 can be presented by way of thedisplay 1010 with navigation features.

The display 1010 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 1000 can be adapted to present a user interfacewith graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 1010 can beequipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technologyto detect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 1010 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 1000 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 1004 can also include an audio system 1012 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 1012 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 1012 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI1004 can further include an image sensor 1013 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 1014 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 1000 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 1016 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 1000 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor1018 can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 1000 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 1020 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device1000 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 1000 can use the transceiver 1002 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 1006 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 1000.

Other components not shown in FIG. 10 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 1000 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 1006 of the communication device 1000.In yet another embodiment, the communication device 1000 can alsoinclude a factory default setting button positioned, for example, belowa small hole in a housing assembly of the communication device 1000 toforce the communication device 1000 to re-establish factory settings. Inthis embodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen orpaper clip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default settingbutton. The communication device 1000 can also include a slot for addingor removing an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module(SIM) card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 1000 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 10. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The communication device 1000 can be adapted to perform the functions ofdevices 108, 110, 114, 118, 120, and 126, 202, 300 of FIGS. 1-3, themedia processor 806, the media devices 808, or the portablecommunication devices 816 of FIG. 8. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 1000 can also represent other devices that canoperate in systems of FIGS. 1-3, communication system 800 of FIG. 8 suchas a gaming console and a media player. In addition, the controller 1006can be adapted in various embodiments to perform the functions 862-866,respectively.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below. For example, portions of some embodiments can becombined with portions other embodiments. Other embodiments can be usedin the subject disclosure.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 1100 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods described above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the server 830, the media processor 806,communication devices 108, 110, 114, 118, 120, and 126, 202, 300, andother devices of FIGS. 1-3. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network 1126) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in a server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 1100 may include a processor (or controller) 1102(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit(GPU, or both), a main memory 1104 and a static memory 1106, whichcommunicate with each other via a bus 1108. The computer system 1100 mayfurther include a display unit 1110 (e.g., a liquid crystal display(LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display). The computer system 1100may include an input device 1112 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 1114 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 1116, a signal generationdevice 1118 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 1120. In distributed environments, the embodiments described inthe subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units810 controlled by two or more computer systems 1100. In thisconfiguration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may inpart be shown in a first of the display units 1110, while the remainingportion is presented in a second of the display units 1110.

The disk drive unit 1116 may include a tangible computer-readablestorage medium 1122 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions(e.g., software 1124) embodying any one or more of the methods orfunctions described herein, including those methods illustrated above.The instructions 1124 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 1104, the static memory 1106, and/or within theprocessor 1102 during execution thereof by the computer system 1100. Themain memory 1104 and the processor 1102 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, theoperations or methods described herein are intended for operation assoftware programs or instructions running on or executed by a computerprocessor or other computing device, and which may include other formsof instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logiccomponents in an application specific integrated circuit or fieldprogrammable gate array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g.,software programs, instructions, etc.) including, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. Distributedprocessing environments can include multiple processors in a singlemachine, single processors in multiple machines, and/or multipleprocessors in multiple machines. It is further noted that a computingdevice such as a processor, a controller, a state machine or othersuitable device for executing instructions to perform operations ormethods may perform such operations directly or indirectly by way of oneor more intermediate devices directed by the computing device.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 1122 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure. The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives,devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, Zigbee®), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 800. In one or more embodiments, information regardinguse of services can be generated including services being accessed,media consumption history, user preferences, and so forth. Thisinformation can be obtained by various methods including user input,detecting types of communications (e.g., video content vs. audiocontent), analysis of content streams, and so forth. The generating,obtaining and/or monitoring of this information can be responsive to anauthorization provided by the user. In one or more embodiments, ananalysis of data can be subject to authorization from user(s) associatedwith the data, such as an opt-in, an opt-out, acknowledgementrequirements, notifications, selective authorization based on types ofdata, and so forth.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Theexemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or stepsfrom multiple embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized and derivedtherefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figuresare also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to theexemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms todescribe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second,third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or functionunless expressly stated so. The use of the terms first, second, thirdand so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components,steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, oneor more devices or components described with respect to the exemplaryembodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating(e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection)can include less than every step needed to perform the function or caninclude all of the steps needed to perform the function.

In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controlleror circuit) has been described that performs various functions. Itshould be understood that the processor can be multiple processors,which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in asingle machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used insupporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processingenvironment may support one or more virtual machines representingcomputers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtualmachines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may bevirtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a statemachine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmablegate array including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when aprocessor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this caninclude the processor performing the operations directly and/orfacilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or componentto perform the operations.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance ofoperations, comprising: rendering a plurality of video content streamsinto a plurality of screen regions as part of a virtual realityenvironment for presentation of the plurality of video content streamsin the virtual reality environment, wherein the plurality of screenregions include a primary screen region and a plurality of auxiliaryscreen regions, wherein the primary screen region presents a first videocontent stream of the plurality of video content streams, and whereinthe plurality of auxiliary screen regions presents a subset of theplurality of video content streams; detecting an event in a second videocontent stream of the plurality of video content streams resulting in adetected event; providing an indication to the virtual realityenvironment responsive to the detecting of the event, wherein theindication instructs the virtual reality environment to present thesecond video content stream on the primary screen region in place of thefirst video content stream according to the detecting of the event;recording the first video content stream from a point of departure ofthe first video content stream resulting in a recorded first videocontent stream; selecting a plurality of images of the recorded firstvideo content stream resulting in a plurality of selected images,wherein the plurality of selected images includes an image of an actionportion; determining a first subset of the plurality of selected imageshaving images of the action portion and a second subset of the pluralityof selected images not having images of the action portion; andrecording the first subset of the plurality of selected images resultingin a recorded first subset of the plurality of selected images, andwherein the recorded first video content stream is the recorded firstsubset of the plurality of selected images.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein the operations further comprise providing the recorded firstvideo content stream to the virtual reality environment for presentationon the primary screen region from the point of departure responsive toobtaining a first user-generated input.
 3. The device of claim 2,wherein the first user-generated input initiates a switch frompresenting the second video content stream on the primary screen regionto presenting the recorded first video content stream on the primaryscreen region, and wherein the virtual reality environment is providedby a virtual reality display device.
 4. The device of claim 2, whereinthe detecting of the event further comprises: detecting a first eventassociated with a third video content stream and a second eventassociated with a fourth video content stream of the plurality of videocontent streams within a time period; receiving a second user-generatedinput pertaining to one of the third video content stream and the fourthvideo content stream; and identifying the second video content streamhaving the detected event as one of the third video content stream andthe fourth video content stream according to the second user-generatedinput.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein the first user-generated inputis one of a voice command, head movement, gesture, text, and graphics,and wherein the primary screen region is a first size and the pluralityof auxiliary screen regions are a second size, and wherein the recordingof the first video content stream further comprises removing the secondsubset of the plurality of selected images.
 6. The device of claim 5,wherein presentation of a plurality of screens selectively changes theprimary screen region to one of the plurality of auxiliary screenregions based upon the head movement.
 7. The device of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of images includes a plurality of objects resulting in aplurality of object images, and wherein the operations further compriseobtaining an object indication for each of the plurality of objectimages resulting in a plurality of object indications, and wherein afirst object indication of the plurality of object indications comprisesthe event and the event is associated with a first object of theplurality of objects.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the operationsfurther comprise receiving a third user-generated input, wherein thefirst video content stream is presented on the primary screen regionwith a first audio content, and wherein the second video content streamis presented on the primary screen region with the first audio contentaccording to the third user-generated input.
 9. The device of claim 1,wherein the operations further comprise providing textual contentrelated to the plurality of video content streams, wherein the textualcontent is presented in the virtual reality environment with the firstvideo content stream and the subset of the plurality of video contentstreams.
 10. A non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium,comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processingsystem including a processor, facilitate performance of operations,comprising: rendering a plurality of video content streams into aplurality of screen regions of a virtual reality display as part of avirtual reality environment for presentation of the plurality of videocontent streams in the virtual reality environment, wherein theplurality of screen regions include a primary screen region and aplurality of auxiliary screen regions, wherein the primary screen regionpresents a first video content stream of the plurality of video contentstreams, and wherein the plurality of auxiliary screen regions presentsa subset of the plurality of video content streams; detecting an eventin a second video content stream of the plurality of video contentstreams resulting in a detected event; providing an indication to thevirtual reality display responsive to the detecting of the event,wherein the indication instructs the virtual reality display to presentthe second video content stream on the primary screen region in place ofthe first video content stream according to the detecting of the event;recording the first video content stream from a point of departure ofthe first video content stream resulting in a recorded first videocontent stream; selecting a plurality of images of the recorded firstvideo content stream resulting in a plurality of selected images,wherein the plurality of selected images includes an image of an actionportion; determining a first subset of the plurality of selected imageshaving images of the action portion and a second subset of the pluralityof selected images not having images of the action portion; andrecording the first subset of the plurality of selected images resultingin a recorded first subset of the plurality of selected images, andwherein the recorded first video content stream is the recorded firstsubset of the plurality of selected images.
 11. The non-transitory,machine-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the recording ofthe first video content stream further comprises deleting advertisingcontent from the recorded first video content stream.
 12. Thenon-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein therecording of the first video content stream further comprises detectinga first action start flag, a first action end flag, a second actionstart flag, and a second action end flag in the first video contentstream.
 13. The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim12, wherein the recording of the first video content stream furthercomprises recording content between the first action start flag and thefirst action end flag and between the second action start flag and thesecond action end flag.
 14. The non-transitory, machine-readable storagemedium of claim 13, wherein the recording of the first video contentstream further comprises removing content between the first action endflag and the second action start flag.
 15. The non-transitory,machine-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the recording ofthe first video content stream further comprises removing the secondsubset of the plurality of selected images.
 16. The non-transitory,machine-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the operationsfurther comprise providing the recorded first video content stream tothe virtual reality display for presentation on the primary screenregion from the point of departure responsive to obtaining a firstuser-generated input.
 17. The non-transitory, machine-readable storagemedium of claim 16, wherein the first user-generated input initiates aswitch from presenting the second video content stream on the primaryscreen region to presenting the recorded first video content stream onthe primary screen region.
 18. A method, comprising: rendering, by aprocessing system comprising a processor, a primary screen region of aplurality of screen regions of a virtual reality environment to presenta first video content stream of a plurality of video content streams anda plurality of auxiliary screen regions in the virtual realityenvironment to respectively present a subset of the plurality of videocontent streams; providing, by the processing system, an indication to avirtual reality display responsive to an occurrence of an event in asecond video content stream of the plurality of video content streams,wherein the indication instructs the virtual reality display to presentthe second video content stream on the primary screen region in place ofthe first video content stream based on the occurrence; recording, bythe processing system, the first video content stream from a point ofdeparture of the first video content stream resulting in a recordedfirst video content stream; selecting, by the processing system, aplurality of images of the recorded first video content stream resultingin a plurality of selected images, wherein the plurality of selectedimages includes an image of an action portion; determining, by theprocessing system, a first subset of the plurality of selected imageshaving images of the action portion and a second subset of the pluralityof selected images not having images of the action portion; andrecording, by the processing system, the first subset of the pluralityof selected images resulting in a recorded first subset of the pluralityof selected images, and wherein the recorded first video content streamis the recorded first subset of the plurality of selected images. 19.The method of claim 18, further comprising: providing an avatarassociated with a social connection to be presented on the virtualreality display with the plurality of video content streams; receiving amessage for the social connection; and providing the message for thesocial connection to a communication device associated with the socialconnection, wherein the message is related to the plurality of videocontent streams.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the virtual realitydisplay renders the avatar as part of the virtual reality environment,and further comprising enabling presentation of the plurality of screenregions based upon a movement of a virtual reality headset that presentsthe virtual reality environment, wherein the presentation of theplurality of screen selectively changes the primary screen region to oneof the plurality of auxiliary screen regions based upon the movement ofthe virtual reality headset, and wherein the recording of the firstvideo content stream further comprises removing the second subset of theplurality of selected images.